Published: April 18, 2008 05:23 pm            

Local man pioneers school program

For 20 years, Enid businessman has mentored local sixth-graders

For the past 20 years, students at various Enid Public Schools have been challenged by Stan Brownlee to make good choices — and the impact is clear to McKinley Elementary School sixth-grade teacher Tamra Tucker.

“I don’t think Stan will ever know the number of lives he’s changed,” Tucker said. “He’s such an awesome leader for young people.”

Brownlee, asset manager for Harold Hamm at Continental Resources, said he was asked by the principal at Adams Elementary School 20 years ago to start a special program for sixth-graders.

“At that time, there was no special program at that level,” Brownlee said.

Over time, the program has evolved into the sixth-grade mentoring program at McKinley and Garfield Elementary School. Brownlee’s son, Aaron Brownlee, arranges Garfield sessions.

Every Friday, Brownlee brings a visitor to the sixth-graders at McKinley. Speakers have included Oklahoma First Lady Kim Henry, Susan Southall of First United Methodist Church, longtime Enid Public Schools Board of Education member Willa Jo Fowler, former Security National Bank president Bert Mackie and District Attorney Cathy Stoker.

Guests talk to students about what life was like for them when they were sixth-graders, and what choices they made between ages 12-22 that led them to what they do today. They also discuss what they would have done differently, and what’s important in their lives today.

“We stress two things,” Brownlee said. “First, there’s never a good reason to be unkind, and second, if you make good choices, you’ll have more fun.”

Tucker said the program helps students discover a variety of careers that are available to them.

“Basically, this mentoring program is to help make a difference in their lives so they will make good choices and pick a career they love,” Tucker said.

Every Friday, teachers identify a student who has done a good job that week, and Brownlee awards them with a silver dollar.

Tucker said it’s a good way to honor students, and it provides an incentive for students to work hard.

Brownlee checks every week to see if students’ homework is done, Tucker said.

“They don’t want to disappoint him, and so it’s a little extra encouragement for them,” she said.

Tucker said it makes a difference in her students’ lives to know there’s an adult who cares about them.

“If he can change their lives in the span of a school year, I know that impacts them for the rest of their lives,” she said. “They know Stan cares.”

McKinley students have their own ways of honoring their mentor. Two years ago, the sixth-graders nominated him for Pillar of the Plains, Tucker said.

“The kids thought that was a really neat thing to do,” Tucker said. “They just really adore him.”

And every year at McKinley’s award ceremony, the “Stan Brownlee Award” is given to a student who “has made excellent choices, is kind to others and has good work habits,” Tucker said.

“Stan raises the bar for them,” Tucker said. “I don’t know if there’s a way to know how many young peoples’ lives have been changed because of the program.”